I am a new member at airliners.net but have been a visitor of the site since 2000. This is my second thread since I signed up last night. I have alot of things in my mind to ask but today I would like to discuss about Syrian Airlines and its future. Does anyone know why can't Syrian Airlines expand, grow and provide a better service to its customers. Is it because of the Syrian government not doing enough to improve the Airline or are there any other reasons.

About 3 or 4 months ago I have read a thread that Syrian Airlines was going to purchase 3 Airbus 330 and a few Airbus 320. Just a couple weeks ago I read a report on a Syrian news site that this deal was put on hold or canceled. Does anyone have any information about this? I would appreciate your comments.

No info on the fleet side and I can't really tell you if the service is that bad but when my mother-in-law flew from BEY to BRU on their A320 she was quite happy. Now she is Syrian-Lebanese and it was a direct daytime flight (and it was before the events) so she would of course prefer that above many other options. What I can see as a problem is the frequency of RB. Like in the case of BRU we see them twice a week to DAM via ALP or BEY. And I think this is the case on many routes. I'm not convinced wide-body aircraft would be useful for them at this point in time. They need to build up their network.

Also, booking seems to be of another age. No online booking (no online timetable!), not often returned in the reservations sites... Hope to fly them in better times.

Here is a list of issues that shows a negative picture of Syrian Airlines:

- male and femal staff appearance look professional but lack training and customer service toward customers.
- Below average quality of service on board flights specifically with meals, entertainment, organization, and other detailed services that can be found with larger airlines.
- 40%-50% of the airplanes are outdate.
- Very bad and unorganized management.
- Routes are limited and some require 2 stops before arriving at final destination.

We just decided to do a trip to Syria:
- DXB-ALP-DAM on B727
- two domestic roundtrips on TU134 and Yak40
- and back DAM-SHJ on the 747SP
How cool is that to fly these types all within three days!
Will report back after the trip (end of March), but I've been told not to expect too much service-wise.

Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been...

As Scbriml said the main reason why RB can't expand is political.
The Syrian government gives the impression , they don't care of their airline , and with the bad reputation Syria has on the international scene , it's really difficult , to get a strong airline.
Surely another reason is because in most cases in Syria , all have been copied on the model of the old USSR , with quite many "archaisme" , and communism fashion , very closed to the North Korean model.
I would like to point out that bad reputation of Syria on the international scene is ONLY due to the government , NOT to the Syrian people.
For those having travelling in Syria , they know and appreciate this kind people.

What i know of RB in Paris , is they are happy of the load factor there , having i guess near daily flights to Orly.
Cargo is strong at Paris , and many people fly with RB to BEY and BOM , as the price ticket is one of the cheapiest.

Anyway would be good to hear RB is expanding , and get modern A330s , but reading what have been written above , it seems this plan has shelved.Sad..........

Quoting Ydahman (Reply 5):male and femal staff appearance look professional but lack training and customer service toward customers.
- Below average quality of service on board flights specifically with meals, entertainment, organization, and other detailed services that can be found with larger airlines.
- 40%-50% of the airplanes are outdate.
- Very bad and unorganized management.
- Routes are limited and some require 2 stops before arriving at final destination.

Unfortunatelly (maybe except last point in list) this is reality for lots of other airlines, too. So it's not a special Syrian problem.

I'm not familiar with the contents of the U.S. embargo on Syria, is it similar to the U.S. embargo on Iran? Does RB have the same sanctions as Iran Air has with the famous A300 threads about the A300having U.S. parts and whether this falls under the embargo or not? I remember reading several threads/posts about this here in the forum. Is RB in the same situation? RB operates U.S. built aircraft as such as the 727 and 747SP(?)

Everything on their website seems to look good. I am not sure if this is the case in reality because last time I flew the airline was around 8 years ago. Maybe they improved a little. I am pretty sure their management and customer service has not improved much. I have been to a Syrian Airlines office in Damascus couple years ago and saw alot of mess going on inside with clients and customers. As you see nothing like it if you visit an office for European or Middle Eastern Airlines. After all you could save 30% to 50% on the ticket compared to flying more competetive airlines and getting a Syrian Visa is the extremely easy.

Also very interesting finding. I just noticed that the 2 Boeing 727 airplanes that the airline owns are now offered for sale and are posted on http://www.syriaair.com

I think its rediculous that they are stealing pictures of meals from other airlines and posting them on their website. I am going to fill out the complaint form they offer on the website, which I doubt they will respond or even read my complaint.

On their website where they describe their fleet they've put a picture of TU154 and the title "BOEING 727"

I assume it is because of political reasons that Syrianair can't or wont expand or build up frequencies. After all, they are on the list of countires that support terrorism. I think I recall US objected on Syria purchasing aircraft that have US made parts in it, something similar to what is happening to Iran Air. Politics, pure politics.

But I assume out of all countires in the Middle East Syria is the richest in terms of natural resources and if opened up, Syrianair could benefit the most.

Quoting Ydahman (Reply 17): think its rediculous that they are stealing pictures of meals from other airlines and posting them on their website. I am going to fill out the complaint form they offer on the website, which I doubt they will respond or even read my complaint.

I hope they dont arrest you for that.

Quoting Ydahman (Reply 5):Here is a list of issues that shows a negative picture of Syrian Airlines:

- male and femal staff appearance look professional but lack training and customer service toward customers.
- Below average quality of service on board flights specifically with meals, entertainment, organization, and other detailed services that can be found with larger airlines.
- 40%-50% of the airplanes are outdate.
- Very bad and unorganized management.
- Routes are limited and some require 2 stops before arriving at final destination.

Quoting CO7e7 (Reply 20):I don't understand what you mean by Openness to the world! could you please explain what you mean?

I meant that Syrian government's policy is "closed on its self". They do not allow car exportation into their country (For Example) so I think that this policy is the reason of putting Syria in "exclusion status"

You might have had negative travel experience in Syria,but when you check on the "non aviation forum" there is a thread about travel in Syria and like most foreigners that did make it to Syria ,they were impressed with the hospitality of the people,the good food,the enormous tourist potential and the discripancy between the political leaders and the normal people.
Yes-Syria is on the negative media trail because of Lebanon terror attacks and due to the US list of counties that sponsor terrorism...
But first you shuld dare to make a difference between the leaders and the normal citizens in Syria ,who are hungry to live in freedom and establish normal ties to neighbouring countries.
I had a friend in Damascus who was watching Israeli TV via satellite and even learned some hebrew to better understand Israeli TV -so stereotype views of the "bad Syrian" and the "good Israeli" should be put aside for a more balanced optic.When Americans travel to Syria ( well - yes that happens - ..) usually they get a courious -friendly welcome with syrian families.
But that does not fit into the picture the average TV stations wants to display...
Syria is not a " crappy" country but a crossroad of cultures and forces that are not always manageable by the average guy. So travel there again and try to be more objective !

Thanks very much Beaucaire for your beautiful comment and explanation about Syria. To answer the crappy Yegbey01 and his crappy comment, Syrian Airlines is not crappy and Syria is not either. Just because we are discussing some issues with Syrian Airlines you are not to add any unnecessary comments. Although Syrian Airlines needs alot of improvements, overall its still better than many other airlines from other countries. Syria is a great country and has alot to offer its visitors. Thank you